Chinese Authorities Arrest Tibetans in Ngaba and Karze, Tibet

Dharamshala: Namhka Sonam, a Tibetan youth in Shershul, Karze (Ch: Ganzi) County, Karze “TAP” (incorporated into a Chinese province of Sichuan), was arrested for chanting slogans of “Free Tibet and Long Live His Holiness the Dalai Lama”.

According to confirmed reports, Namkha Sonam, aged 27, was arrested and severely beaten by officials of the Public Security Bureau on 7 January.

Following the arrest, Namkha’s father and brother approached the office of district authority to plead for his release. But the officials rejected their appeal and continue to keep Namkha in protective custody.

On 15 January, the concerned officials of the Public Security Bureau in Ngaba (Ch: Aba) County, Ngaba “TAP”, Amdo (incorporated into Chinese province of Sichuan), arrested a Tibetan monk named Lobsang Kirti, aged 27, for distributing suspicious leaflets. He was picked from a photocopy centre in the town around 5-6 p.m. (local time), sources said.

Lobsang Kirti

Lobsang Kirti is a student of Kirti Monastery and has written several articles in journals and newspapers. He is also a member of the editorial board of “Gangtse Metok” an official publication of Kirti Monastery.

Meanwhile, the Central Tibetan Administration today called on the Chinese authorities to put an immediate end to their repressive policies and to call off the “strike hard campaign” in Tibet.

“The re-launch of the “Strike Hard” campaign and intensification of other PRC’s hard-line policies will cause much more violation of fundamental rights and freedom of the Tibetan people. We are very doubtful of the PRC’s intention behind re-launching of these campaigns, including patriotic education, which will only create atmosphere of further political unrest and, therefore, justify the use of more repressive measures,” said Mrs Kesang Yangkyi Takla, kalon for the Department of Information and International Relations, at a press conference in Dharamshala on Wednesday.

Media reports citing China’s state media said officially sanctioned raids of Tibetan homes and hotels in Lhasa by the Public Security Bureau has rounded “5,766 suspects” for questioning. Around 81 people have been detained under the repressive strike hard campaign.

Kalon Takla appealed to the Parliaments, Governments and Individuals around the world to actively intervene to prevent the recurrence of unfortunate incidents of March 2008 in Tibet.

Kalon Takla urged the Tibetans in Tibet not to engage in violence and to avoid any activities that will risk unnecessary imprisonment, detention and endangering of their lives.

We further urge you (Tibetans) to do your all in preventing any animosity and clashes with Chinese people, Kalon Takla said.

Kalon Takla appealed to the Tibetans in Tibet, that despite the strict restriction and harsh repression, they should maintain calm and remain steadfast on non-violent principles for the long-term of interest of Tibet.